Refrigerating apparatus



A. T. KASLEY REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed April 16, 1920 INVENTOR.

HI Kasby BY 63 g ATTORNEY Patented June 4, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE.

ALEXANDER TAYLOR KASLEY, OF TINICUM TOWNSHIP, DELAWARE COUNTY, PENN- SYLVANIA, ASSIGNOIB. TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COM- PANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS.

Application filed April 16, 1920. Serial No. 374,403.

This invention relates to refrigerating apparatus, and has for an object to produce a new and improved refrigerating apparatus which is well adapted for household use.

A further object is to produce a new and improved refrigerating apparatus which is cheaper and simpler than other refrigerating apparatus now in use and known to me. o

A further object is to produce a household refrigerating machine which is not only cheap and simple, but which is also safe, reliable and economical in operation.

These and other objects which will be made apparent throughout the further description of my invention are attained by means of ap paratus embodying the features herein described and illustrated in the drawing accompanying and forming a part hereof.

The single figure of the accompanying drawing is a diagrammatic sectional View of a refrigerating apparatus embodying a preferred form of my invention.

My invention contemplates a refrigerating apparatus in which the working parts are all enclosed within a closed system. If desired, the latter may be hermetically sealed so as to effectively prevent the escape of any of the refrigerant. This arrangement eliminates stulling boxes and the like and makes the apparatus particularly adaptable to household use. Lubrication dilliculties are eliminated by en'iploying working parts that are self lubricating. Although the'danger of leakage is reduced to a minimum by the construction of the apparatus, I preferably employ a harmless refrigerant such as carbon tetrachloride. The apparatus is therefore safe and, in view of its simplicity and self-lubrieating features, may be operated successfully with a minimum amount of care and attention. I

Referring to the accompanying drawing for a more detailed understanding of my invention, I show an expansion chamber 5, a

condensing chamber 6 and a compressor 7..

The refrigerating effect is accomplished by expanding a suitable fluid, such as carbon tetrachloride, in the expansion chamber 5. In expanding, the fluid absorbs heat so that the walls of the expansion chamber are chilled and absorb heat from the surrounding medium or objects. The expanded fluid is then withdrawn and compressed by the compressor 7. The heat absorbed in the expansion chamher 5 as well as the heat imparted to the fluid in the compressor 7, is then withdrawn from the fluid in the condensing chamber 6. This completes the cycle and the cooled and condensed fluid is again ready for delivery to the expansion chamber 5-for a repetition of the cycle. a

As illustrated, the expansion chamber 5 is in the form of a rectangular tank located within a refrigerator 8, only a part of which i is shown.

On top of the refrigerator I have shown the condensing chamber 6, also in the form of a rectangular tank.

As shown, the compressor 7 is enclosed entirely within the chamber 6 and is adapted to be driven by means of an electric motor 9,

also located Within the condensing chamber. In the construction illustrated the compressor 7 is in the form of a single cylinder 10 having an inlet valve 11, an outlet valve 12 and a piston 13. The piston 13 is connected with a crank 14 on the shaft of the motor 9 by means of a connecting rod 15. Either the piston 13 or the cylinder 10 is preferably made of graphite or any other self-lubricating material. The motor 9 and the connecting rod 15 are,.of course, provided with graphite or other self-lubricating bushings at their wearing surfaces, as shown, for example, at 16.

As illustrated, the motor 9 is mounted on a bracket 17 and receives current by means of wires 18 which-pass through insulating bushings 19 located in opening formed in the wall of the chamber 6 which are hermetically sealed after the leads and bushings are in place. I have shown a switch 20 in the wiring 18 by means of which the motor 9 may be controlled. The motor is preferably of a type requiring no commutator. Carbon tetrachloride is a good insulator,'consequently the motor is not detrimentally affected by the lgefrigerant in operating within the cham- The refrigerant is cooled by contact with the walls of the chamber 61; If desired, the area of the heat transmitting surface may be increased in any suitable manner, for example, by means of corrugations, as shown at .91 or by means of suitable tubes, not shown,

45 less submerged in the refrigerant in-the botsuch" as are employed in surface condensers.

A water jacket22 may also be provided to assist in the absorption of heat from the refrigerant, if suflicient heat transfer does not take place between the walls of the cooling chamber and the surrounding air to'produce the required refrigerating effect.

The condensed and cooled refrigerant collects in the lower portion of the chamber 6 and is delivered to the expansion chamber bymeans of a conduit 23. extending, as shown,

1 extend into the conduit and to regulate thedownwardly through the refrigerator top 8 to the lower portions of the expansion chamber. In the bottom of the expansion chamber 5 and below the conduit 23 I have shown asump or well 24; for the pur 'ose of collect ing liquid refrigerant in a suflicient quantity to control a float actuated expansion valve 25. The valve shown is in the form of a needle 25 mounted on top of a float 26and adapted to flow -'of refrigerant into the expansion chamber in accordance with the level of liquid refrigerant in the lower portion of the cham- -'ber. As shown, guides 27 are provided for guiding the float 26 and hence-the valve 25 in its movement s. If desired means, such as a s ring 26, maybe employed for assisting the oat to overcome the pressure of the fluid on the valve 25. The apparatus is prefer- ;ably adjusted so that a relatively thin layer of liquid refrigerant is maintained over the bottom of the expansion chamber. As shown the valve 25 is threaded into the float so that it may be adjusted by turning'the valve relative to the float.

In one end of the expansion chamber 5 I have shown a passage 28 which extends from one side of the chamber to the other and in which a pan of water may be inserted for the purpose of forming ice. Obviously, a number of such passages or compartments may be providedor if desired, a liquid to be cooled, such as a brine solution, may be circulated through a coil which is preferably more or being admitted to the expansion chamber 5.

In evaporating and'expanding'the fluid takes up heat so as to chill the walls of the expansion chamber and the compartment 28, and to thereby produce a refrigerating effect. The

. compressor 7 is, of course, in operation and continually withdraws the refrigerant vapor from the expansion chamber. The float controlled valve 25 is preferably adjusted so that a thin layer of refrigerant is maintained over the bottom of the chamber so as to thereby facilitate the evaporation of the refrigerant.- If, for any reason, an excess quantity of liquid accumulates in the expansion chamber, the valve 25 closes and the flow of /refrigerant is restricted until conditions are again normal.

It will, of course, be understood that the compressor tends to create a partial vacuum inthe expansion chamber and thereby promotes the eva oration of the refrigerant. The vaporize refrigerant is compressed inth-e compressor 7 and is then discharged into the chamber 6. The heat absorbed in the expansion chamber 5 and in the compressor 7 'is delivered to the walls of the chamber, and the refrigerant is not only cooled but condensed to a liquid form; The cooled and condensed refrigerant then collects in the lower portion of the cooling chamber and is ready for a repetition of the cycle.

If desired the conduit 23 may extend through the conduit 29 so that only one conduit visibly connects the two chambers and effects a heat interchange. The apparatus may be employed for making ice or for direct refrigerating purposes.

Any suitable refrigerant may be employed, but as previously stated I prefer to.

employ carbon tetrachloride for its insulating properties and its chemical and physical inertness relative to anything it comes in contact with in the apparatus and to the human bod a Vghile I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications, without departing from the spirit thereof and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a refrigerating machine in which a refrigerant is successlvely and repeatedly vaporized, compressed and condensed, in

combination, a condensing chamber, an expansion chamber communicating therewith, a compressor for withdrawing refrigerant from the expansion chamber and delivering it to the condensing chamber, and means for driving the compressor, said compressor and said driving means being enclosed within the condensing chamber.

2. In a refrigerating 'machine in which a refrigerant is successively and repeatedly vaporized, compressed, and condensed, in combination, a condensing chamber, an expansion chamber communicating therewith, a compressor for'withdrawing refrigerant from the expansion chamber and delivering it to the condensing chamber, an electric densing chamber, means for delivering condensed refrigerant from the condensing chamber to the expansion chamber, means including a compressor for withdrawing expanded refrigerant from the expansion chamber and delivering it to the condensing chamber, and an electric motor for actuating said compressor, said electric motor being enclosed in one of the said chambers.

4. In a refrigerating machine in which a refrigerant is successively and repeatedly vaporized, compressed and condensed, in combination, a condensing chamber, an expansion chamber communicating therewith, a compressor for withdrawing refrigerant from the expansion chamber and delivering it to the condensing chamber, and an elec tric motor for actuating the compressor, said compressor and motor being located entirely within the condensing chamber an'd being provided with self-lubricating wearing surfaces.

5. In arefrigerating machine in which a refrigerant is successively and repeatedly vaporized, compressed and condensed, in

I combination, a condensing chamber, an expansion chamber communicating therewith, and a compressor and motor therefor enclosed within the condensing chamber, said compressor having a cylinder member and a piston member operating therein, at least one of said members being constructed with selflubricating wearing surfaces.

(3. In a refrigerating machine in which a refrigerant is successively and repeatedly vaporized, compressed and condensed, in combination, a condensing chamber, an expansion chamber communicating therewith, a compressor and motor therefor enclosed within the condensing chamber, said compressor having a cylinder member and a piston member operating therein, at least one of said members being'constructed with selflubricating wearing surfaces.

7. In a refrigerating machine in which a' refrigerant is successively and repeatedly vaporized, compressed and condensed, in combination, an expansion chamber, a condensing chamber communicating therewith and comprising a wall member, a compressor within the condensing chamber, and a motor therefor carried by the wall member and disposed within the condensing chamber.

8. In a refrigerating machine in which a refrigerant is successively and repeatedly vaporized, compressed and condensed, in combination, a condensing chamber, an expansion chamber communicating therewith, a

compressor and motor therefor enclosed within the condensing chamber, and means for circulating a cooling medium in heat-exchanging relation to the refrigerant fluid within the condensing chamber. v

9. In a refrigerating machine in which a refrigerant fluid is successively vaporized, compressed and condensed in a repeating cycle, the combination with a condensing chamber, of a compressor and actuating motor therefor disposed inside the condensing chamber. v

10. In a refrigerating machine in which a refrigerant fluid is successively vaporized, compressed and condensed in a repeating cycle, the combination with a chamber in which a change of state of the refrigerant fluid is effected, of a compressor and actuating motor therefor enclosed within said chamber.

11. In a refrigerating machine in which a refrigerant fillld is successively vaporized, compressed and condensed in a repeating cycle, the combination with a chamber in which a chan e of state of the refrigerant fluid is effecte and comprising a wall member, of a motor carried by the tvall member and disposed within the chamber in such manner that the heat of the motor is dissipated at least in part through the intermediary of the. refrigerant fluid. v

12. In a refrigerating machine in which a refrigerant fluid is successively vaporized, compressed and condensed in a repeating cycle, the combination with a chamber in which a change of state of the refrigerant fluid is effected, of a compressor and actuating motor therefor enclosed within said chamber, and means associated with the chamber for dissipating the heat of .the motor.

13. In a refrigerating machine in which a refrigerant is vaporized, compressed and condensed in a repeating cycle, in combination, an expansion chamber, a condensing chamber, means for delivering condensed refrigerant from the condensing chamberv to the expansion chamber, means including a compressor for withdrawing expanded refrigerant from the expansion chamber and delivering it to the condensing chamber, and a motor for actuating said compressor, said motor being enclosed in one of the said chambers.

14. In a refrigerating machine in which a refrigerant fluid is successively vaporized, compressed and condensed in a repeating cycle, the combination with a chamber in whicha' change of state of the refrigerant fluid is effected, of a compressor and actuating motor therefor, said motor being enclosed within said chamber.

15. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporator, a compressor, a

motor for driving the compressor, and a fluidtight casing spaced from and entirely enclosing both the motor and the compressor, the space intervening between the exterior surfaces of the motor and the compressor and the interior surface of theencloslng casing de- 5 fining a condensing chamber;-

16. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of evaporating means, condensing I means, a. compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, and a fluid-tight casing entirely enclosing both the motor and the compressor, 10 said motor and compressor bein provided with self-lubricating wearing sur aces.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 30th day of March, 1920.

ALEXANDER TAYLOR KASLEY. 

